Celebration time!

We completed training program #5 with 12 lovely young ladies. Here are some pictures. There is a unique and touching story for each one that is motivating us to keep doing what we are doing. We took the liberty of pulling excerpts of their testimonies so you can hear for yourself how this program impacts lives. We couldn’t pick just a few, so we are posting all of them. God receives all the credit. We are privileged to be tools in His hands.

Special thank you to Charles & Sondra Rosen (pictured in some of the photos) for their tremendous efforts to train, coach, counsel, pray with and love these ladies through the 12 week training program.

We also want to thank Esmarie for her willingness to serve as interim Management at the cafe while we are travelling to the states and Germany to give reports on the work that God is doing. She has been such a great help to the staff and to us keeping things running with excellence.


Esmarie.... and she's still smiling!

More pictures ....

Over the Top

Busy is not a strong enough word!


The day was hopping by 7:00 am with preparations for the local Trade Show at the Soccer park, and special lunch catered for the Golf Club, as well as normal cafe preparations. Working from three separate venues was a challenge that we have never had before. Thanks to our “foreign” volunteers (Annelies, Charles & Sondra) we pulled it off and with great results.

Charles & Sondra “staffed” the cafe with 1/3 of our regular staff plus several of the students. Everyone worked hard and most customers did not realize that we were short-handed. That’s a compliment to the staff and the Rosen’s who kept things running.

The Golf Club event required that we pack and bring a stove, plates, cups and saucers, all of the food, coffee maker, cakes, and various other items. It took two trips with the bakkie. Our staff was fabulous – setting up tables and chairs, cleaning, and cooking. Some of the club members asked for business cards and directions to the cafe. Another compliment to our service and food!

 The Trade show was “staffed” by Mr. D. and crew. Again, the set up took several hours to prepare for and execute. The Garden Cafe space was set up and running before most of the other vendors were even set up! One Peace Corp volunteer commented on how organized our crew was. Her words, “I was very impressed with how well your team did – setting up, being organized, planning it all, everything.” Yes! Another compliment to our wonderful staff!

Some of the pictures will come later, but here are some of the Trade show event. The Mayor was there, but had to leave before the festivities began, but we did get a picture of the Youth Councillor who addressed the attendees and visitors. We sold grilled sausages with rolls, pancakes & cupcakes -- food of course, but other vendors sold handmade goods, paint, and offered other services. The idea of the community event was to promote local businesses and encourage entrepreneurship. We hope that next year it will have a bigger attendance and stimulate more involvement.

In the center - Youth Councillor, surrounded by vendors and visitors

Our own David & Mr. D. working hard